Take a picture: A rare play in which TP didn't turn it over. (AP: D. Cummings)Disclaimer: I tried to wait as late into Sunday as a I could to hopefully cool down a little but I didn't have much luck. As a result, you may detect a bit of sarcasm below. My apologies.
Quarterbacking Carnage
Look on the bright side, I don't think Pryor, or any quarterback alive for that matter, could possibly play any worse. Could it be TP has finally hit rock bottom with a four turnover performance complete with a bad attitude, non-existent leadership and the same old mistakes we've seen in the last year and half?I mentioned it last week and feel compelled to bring it up again: Could it be that Pryor simply doesn't have the necessary mental skills to play QB at the major college level? All we hear is how hard he works in the film room blah blah blah but the end result thus far is a QB just as inconsistent in all phases of the game as last year.
The new wrinkle this week to the TP-Trainwreck was of course the ridiculous comments he made about the offense being ready to explode. Uh, I suppose he meant implode. Here's a sampling of his mind-numbing handiwork yesterday. It's like deja vu all over again. And I'm supposed to be happy he's here for another 2.5 years?
- This is minor in the grand scheme of things but again I watched TP have absolutely no awareness of the sideline as he ran out of bounds after gaining 5 yards on a 2nd and 10 scramble. He does this at least twice per game and it's not just to avoid hits. He simply has no vision / awareness continuously passing up necessary yards. No film of this for him to study, I guess?
- The first INT was also vintage Pryor as he launched a duck in the general direction of Duron Carter, and three Boiler defensive backs. Again, I'm to believe he's learning in the film room? If so, you'd think he correct this particular type of INT since it's on film about 5 times now.
- The second INT was also a familiar scene as TP blatantly stared down Ray Small on the short out route allowing the DB, who did make a nice play, to step in front of Small for the pick. Hmmm. Sensing a pattern here? Another repeat mistake that's yet to be corrected by the kid so devoted to film study.
- How 'bout the errant pitch to Saine on the option? Seen that before?
- The second fumble was another replay in which we see TP continue to hold the ball above his head when he's being tackled. A few times, he's actually attempted to throw the ball out of bounds. Last week, for example, he actually threw the ball backward an picked up a grounding call. This week, he refused to bring the ball to his chest and of course Purdue recovered. Again, how is he not learning? It's the same mistakes over and over and over again. Where's the accountability? I have to believe the video coordinator and Tressel are mentioning these things to him in between ego massages.
- The late throws also continue. One particular instance cost the Buckeyes six when TP failed to quickly deliver the ball to Ballard wide open in the back of the endzone in the 4th quarter. Because he failed to recognize Ballard early enough he was forced to throw over the LB who had rolled into coverage and the play was blown. OSU settled for a field goal to make it 23-10.
Offensive Line Back to Square One
Pryor made his own bed so I refuse to let this be a convenient excuse for him but the offensive line was an absolute steaming log yesterday. And I don't want to hear about how Purdue blitzed or else stacked the box every play. Were there times when the front was outnumbered? Yes, but there were more than enough instances in which guys got flat out blown up in one on one blocking situations.Jim Cordle came back from injury but I can only hope he was still hurt based on his performance. He single-handedly killed OSU's third possession. On first down, he was beat badly causing Saine to be dropped for a 2 yard loss. On second down, he again whiffed on a block forcing Pryor to scramble for 3 yards. Then, on 3rd and 19, he was again beaten off the line forcing Pryor to dump the ball off to Ballard. Punt ensued.
Speaking of Ballard, he also had a tough day. TP's first fumble came as a result of Ballard getting blown up giving Pryor about one second to try and secure the ball. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Ballard's false start began a drive that resulted in, you guessed it, a Pryor INT.
Bottom line, even when not blitzed the line didn't stop penetration all day. How can you allow a sack against a four man rush with the game on the line? It was 3rd and 5, Pryor is forced to look deep down the field, and he doesn't even have time to let the WR's run their routes before he's under duress. Unbelievable. I don't even know who to be upset with anymore. Who's in charge of the o line? Bollman? Petersen? Tressel? Anyone? When you find out, ask whoever's in charge how a division one program has at least five o-line penalties including 3 false starts for what feels like the 4th time this year.
What's the Reading on your Tressel Love-Meter?
Up until yesterday, this was the type of game Tressel always somehow managed to escape with an ugly win. This was the one argument for Tress against guys like Pete and Urban, he didn't lose to teams he wasn't supposed to lose to. Uh..go ahead and flush that argument.Not only did they lose to a team they should've beat, they were out coached and out disciplined. That falls on the head coach. This team wasn't ready to play, period. Nine penalties. Three false starts. A muffed punt. Two fumbles. Two interceptions.
Worse yet is the fact nobody seems to be held accountable for their performance. I think it sent a terrible message to the rest of the team when Tressel flat out refused to remove TP for even one series. I guarantee you many players are sick of the TP love fest (and his play in general) and would've been glad to see Bauserman get one series. They'll never voice it but I can pretty much guarantee there's a faction of players who wish Pryor had gone elsewhere. I've seen his act at practice and I've seen how some of the players react but then sing the company line in interviews. It's real. He evolution into a leader has mirrored his evolution as a QB and Tressel's coddling is partially to blame.
And what happened to the run game? Saine got seven carries total and just one in the second half. I know OSU was behind but it's not like Tressel totally abandoned running the ball as evidenced by TP's 21 totes. I'm confused. I might buy it if Tressel stated he didn't think OSU could run anything between the tackles due to the stacked box but if that's the case, how bout a screen to Saine? He ran it once and got 40 yards. Why not dial up that play again?
As for the staff itself, I think we're all getting the feeling this is Bollman's farewell tour and that Hazell is taking on an increased role in the offense but does it matter? That still leaves no one to develop a QB that probably isn't capable of becoming a legit drop back passer and the line will never be worth a damn if defenses know the easy formula is to stack the box and make the QB prove he can complete passes under pressure.
Purdue's Plan of Attack
I thought Danny Hope had a great game plan. The short-medium passing routes helped neutralize the only dominant unit on this team, the defensive line. The routes combined with Joey Elliot's ability to escape pressure the few times it came allowed the Buckeyes just one sack. That's pretty amazing when you consider he attempted 52 passes, 33 in the first half alone.I'd imagine we'll see more of this in the coming weeks especially if Heacock is content to sit in a soft zone for much of the game. Overall, I felt the defense held their own but I wonder at what point they start to go downhill as a result of constantly being on the field due to offensive turnovers or general lack of sustained drives? Yesterday's time of possession battle was another lopsided affair with Purdue controlling the ball for 36 minutes. That's not as bad as the 42 minutes Wisconsin had the ball but still an issue.
As tough as the D has been, they seem to be struggling on 3rd down which is adding to their time on the field. Purdue was 7/18 on 3rd down yesterday and Wisconsin was 6/19 two weeks ago. So what do you think - is this group going to run out of gas before the end of the season? I think they realize if they don't show up, there's a good chance for a loss.
Rough Day for the Zebra's
I can't stress enough that I'm not insinuating the refs were responsible for the loss - that's on TP's shoulders - but I also think it's worth mentioning just how bad the refs continue to be. There were some crucial calls that cost Ohio State big time.The first questionable call occurred on Coleman's apparent forced fumble late in the 1st quarter. The receiver was clearly fighting for yards and no whistle had blown the play dead but the refs end up saying forward progress had stopped. Okay, if that's the case, where's the whistle?
The worst call of the day, however, was the phantom holding call on Browning negating a Saine TD run. Unless the refs called the wrong number when announcing the penalty, this was absolute garbage. That was not even close to holding. Not only did that negate a TD, but Pryor promptly fumbled on the next play. That was a killer.
One last horrible call occurred when they ruled Dane's reception incomplete and didn't even attempt to review it. From my biased viewpoint, it appeared he tipped the ball to himself and fully controlled it while getting a foot down. I get missing it on the field because it was a bang bang play but it I think it should have been reviewed and overturned.
Comments
tressel is a terrible coach BUT HEY he's a nice guy, a good guy...yeah so's my father but he sure as hell shouldn't be coaching the buckeyes...hmmmm
I was at the game sitting 17 rows up right where the forced fumble occurred. I have a few fundamental problems with the call. First, there was no whistle, second refs signaled it was Ohio States ball (multiple refs, multiple times), third if the play was dead before the strip then when Purdue's players jumped on the Ohio State player who recovered the ball it would require a personal fowl late hit call. You can't say a play was dead and then not call the hits afterwards, it's either dead or alive, if it's dead any hit after is a late hit.
Either way pryor needs to go play for Michigan so we can finally catch some of his passes.
Bless ya, man -- I drove home from the game, took all day yesterday to play with my kids to try and stay away and settle down, and I'm still seething.
Can't really be shocked at the lack of accountability though, eh? Has anyone heard JT's reasoning yet for the failure to show up against Florida 3 years ago?
"Either way pryor needs to go play for Michigan so we can finally catch some of his passes."
i lol'd
I would reorder blame for how bad this team is doing.
1. Offensive line: How can you not block anybody ever? If you put Bauserman behind this line for one play he's a dead man. Pryor makes things happen... sometimes... b/c he can move. This line has to do something to slow people down. It's also very hard to play the game when you have to get 1st and 15 five times instead of 1st and 10.
2. Under no circumstances do you make a bad play worse. TP's fumbles were nonsense. He still thinks he can make miracle plays and doesn't understand sometimes a sack and loss of 5 is the best you can do. On the long pick towards Carter Pryor could have tucked the ball and run for 20. Purdue was playing zone and hade 3-4 guys back with nobody around TP. His descisions are horrible.
3. How can our team not stop any part of the spread? We beat Illinois b/c Juice can't pass this year, but how long do we have to sit and watch the D get picked apart by teams?
4. The refs were horrible and made momentum changing calls, but this was the #7 team in the country playing a 1-5 team, and they turned the ball over FIVE times, FIVE TIMES. Catch a freaking punt Small.
That is all.
Excellent article. What I don't understand is JT's stubborness. Gee, Coach, how's this working for you? Do you think, NOW, that you might need to make a change or two? Also, I have heard and read some of the stories about TP's sideline behavior. Now, Coach, do we get to watch your team implode as well as lose? Bleech!
ok... I have been saving this all weekend.
1. Pryor may be just that bad. We all need to face that fact. He has started 16 games and looks worse now than he did at any point in his freshman year. He panics quickly and fails to recognize the most basic defenses thrown against him. Purdue did nothing more than rush everyone and their grandma and force Pryor to make a quick decision with the ball. He often missed the reads and when he made the correct read, he couldn't make the most basic throws (option pitch anyone)
2. Coaching has to be a major factor here.... how can the #1 recruit in the nation be worse now than the end of last season??? All that coaching, film time, off-season training, etc??? Either someone is not being honest about what is going on in practice or the kids is being coached by ameteurs. Mediocre players get better, this guy has gotten worse. Siciliano is a fraud and I am starting to think so is Tressel. Did Tress yank Boeckman from his job for this?? Maybe Boeckman wasn't coached well either?? Maybe Justing Zwick wasn't either?? Or Troy vs. Florida???
3. I still love Tressel. The hard reality is he is winding down to a end that he does not deserve. He has become a community leader and inspirational leader first and a coach second. It appears he no longer cares about changing things to become successful, he is still trying to fit that square peg into a round hole and make it work by "executing" better than the other guy..... Tress, everyone has figured that act out. Another reality is that Tress may have to finish his congeniality tour and turn the program over to some young and hungry minds.... cuz Tress is showing that he isn't hungry anymore and that 2002 National Championship has solidified his way of doing things in his mind.
4. As much as it pains me to admit it, Charlie Weis (gag) may have right. He tried to recruit Terrelle Pryor to Notre Lame--as a Wide Receiver.... hmmmm...... even the village idiot comes up with a good idea every now and then.
5. Pryor lost his cool and his temper out there Saturday... he is not a leader other than leading this team down the sewer.... Bauserman was once a highly recruited QB before going to play Baseball.... give him a chance to show his stuff Saturday against Minnesota and if he merits it... New Mexico State... he couldn't do worse--could he?? It will send Pryor a message about hard work and earning starting time instead of expecting it by being a "superstar". It will also send the team a message..... Tress did a mid-season switch once with a Highly recruited superstar (Zwick) in 2004 and put in Smith who was very lightly regarded at the time and that worked out well. It also saved the season and earned a victory over Michigan and a Bowl win........ I think history should repeat itself again.
What is really worrying me now is the fact that Tressel admitted that he doesn't have any offensive coaches that can make changes to a game plan. Firstly, he was the defacto offensive coordinator and he can't do it? Bollman has shown that he doesn't have the necessary talent. Hazell may, but hasn't shown the ability so far or hasn't been given the chance. If that is the case, why do these people have jobs? If you can't look at real time scenarios and come up with a modified gameplan you shouldn't be coaching. Also, I believe that a lot of defensive problems rest with the fact that they can't get any rest. It is a physically harder to play defense than offense and if you can't catch your breath, you will be in trouble. Our offense needs to come around. It seems like we come up with a few good plays at the beginning of the game, but for some reason stop using them. We are at a point that we need to keep going to plays that work until they learn to stop them, then try something different. Our number one priority needs to get touches to Saine, he seems to be the only dynamic player that can independently make plays. No offense to the wideouts, but they need Pryor to get them the ball and if he isn't on, they do us no good. Last thing, the offensive line should be ashamed of themselves. I haven't seen them play that poorly since the Ohio game last year and that is saying something. Let's prepare for the worst and hope for the best. GO BUCKS!
Things that make me want to puke:
1. JT's ancient coaching philosophy - the offense's job is to not put the defense in bad situations. The punt is the most important play in the game.
2. TP's passer rating is higher than his IQ.
3. Our offensive line is disgusting.
4. Our defense is overrated. Watching Purdue sustain long drives all game long was maddening to watch. The short passing game is something we have struggled defending for a while now.
What if we manage to only lose 1 more game or even win out the rest of the year, beat the school up north, and win our bowl game? Would that really be that bad?
The refs were wearing gold & black sunglasses. Even the Michigan fan I watched the game with was appalled.
Tress and Gene Smith should rip the Big Ten in the same way they voiced their discord with the suspension of Kurt Coleman.
@osu02 - Honestly, I think our defense gave up as the game progressed because they knew no matter how successful they were, TP & the offense were going to give the ball right back on the next possession.
In order to land Art Schlicter, Woody Hayes had to promise his father that he would get to throw the ball at least 20 times per game, which was unheard of for a Woody Hayes' coached team. In the early going, Art would have terrible games and throw plenty of picks, but Woody would not bench him and would let him keep throwing picks, owing to the promises he made on the recruiting trail. I have to wonder what sorts of playing time promises Tressel made to land one of the biggest recruits in a generation (i.e. I will not pull you from a game, regardless of how many picks you throw, you're my guy), given his unwillingness to even consider pulling TP.
That said, I am not ready to give up on this team yet. The coaching is atrocious, but the talent is there. This was never our national title year and it was a Rose Bowl reach year, if we were being honest pre-season. I'd rather they slog it out the rest of this season, learn a few things, and then blow up in 2010. I think the players are more than capable of that change--but I don't know that the coaches are up to the task.
1. JT’s ancient coaching philosophy – the offense’s job is to not put the defense in bad situations. The punt is the most important play in the game.
OSU2 did you watch the game? At what point did you think the coaching was ancient? Pryor is in the shotgun the entire game with 3-4 WR sets? Ancient is when you have Beanie and you run for 4 yards a pop and only throw when you need to. I would not call this ancient.
This talk of the coaches not helping Pryor is garbage. I mean the kid throws the ball like a school girl, I am from Western PA and believe me, his release has gotten a lot better since his Jeanette days I promise you. TP isnt getting better because he is too worried about Vick or offensive explosions. Lets face it, ITS A PLAYERS GAME!! Blame Tress all you want but it still goes on the shoulder of players. They may be showing him all the film in the world, it doesnt matter if he doesnt use it on the field!
Justin Siems !!! Most Proliphic passer at North Carolina Tech. Justins record was 14-2 as a starter at North Carolina Tech. His biggest game was for 302 yards passing. Coach Newmans said that Justin is one of the Top 6 Quaterbacks he has coached.
2008 Stats
Comp Att Yards TD INT
83 130 1604 14 2
WELL SHIT IF COACH NEWMANS SAYS SO, SIGN ME UP! LETS HIT FULL PANIC MODE AND START A WALK-ON, A LA MICHIGAN 2008!
+10
Funny,last week i said Pryor was the worst QB in the country and was called a troll. I challenged anyone to name one QB competensy that Pryor possess, noone could. I have been saying it since 2002, Tressel cannot coach and we have been winning INSPITE of him not BECAUSE of him. I love the respect that Tress has brought to the program and he turns young kids into respectable men, just ask Troy Smith. That being said, this is football, I do not understand how these young men can put on that beloved jersey and helmet and play that horrible. The thought of putting on that jersey gives me chills and I want to go tackle someone. Where is the pride? Where is the heart? Pryor thinks because he throws a hissy fit after a bad play that he is being "a competitor who wants to win." No, that is juvenile! After a bad play you round the troops, take responsibility, and get inspired for next time. I knew from the minute I saw his "vick" eye black that this young kid just doesent get it. He is all hype and looking to be a superstar. I feel so bad for some of these kids who come to tOSU and are coached so horribly that they are even worse leaving than when they came in. Look at all of our highly touted recruits, which ones are haveing the impact that everyone thought they would? These are players that are supposed to be the top in the nation, you mean to tell me that everyone misread their tallent and every single one of them is a flop? No, they are not being coached corerctly. There is not doubt that Pryor was better his freshman year before Tressel and his cronies got to him. Where is the impact from Sabino, Posey, Shugarts, Boren, Thomas, TP... just to name a few. These were all TOP recruits, yet none are having the dramatic impact they were expected to have. Do you think this is a coincidence? We get some of the very best players in the nation, yet we are not even the best team in the state, you think that nearly all Cincy players would not have killed to come to tOSU? We are making good talent look horrible and we have been since JT first came here. Sorry JT, I think you are a class act, but you have worn out your welcome, you have made a joke out of a program that is beloved by millions. We deserve better than the product you are putting on the field. Please leave with class and go coach Baldwin Wallace.
I've been wondering a lot about Pryor's ability. Maybe it's time to run him more often and only throw quick passes or set routes that require no decision-making. He can't handle making his own decisions.
Then, in the off-season, hire either an offensive coordinator or a QB coach. I'd look to the MAC. They have a ton of interesting offenses and some pretty decent QB play. Schools outside of the MAC to look at might include Boise State, Nevada, or Utah.
I always thought that OSU was the wrong choice for Pryor. I thought he should have chosen Oregon, personally. Can you imagine him in that offense? He should have at least gone to Michigan as much as I hate to say it. They would have won enough to go to a bowl game with his skills last year.
Whatever. We're stuck with him. All we can hope for is that Tessel finally runs an offense better suited toward his skills (or lack of) or hires someone to fix him. We can also hope that maybe some five-star QB will see a chance to beat TP out in a year or two.
Dude, is your enter button broken?
Also, while I'm not pleased about losing to Purdue, I think running off a coach that has won multiple national championships and the last four Big Ten championships might be overkill. Calling that same program "a joke" might be a bit much as well.
Hey bud, go to firejtressel.com with that crap. Shut the fuck up and move along, we don't need that crap here. We post with real thoughts, not just a bunch of run on sentences.
LOL
I did watch the game. I was there. I don't disagree with you about TP getting a lot of the blame. He is horrible and he isn't getting any better anytime soon. Jim Tressel is not qualified to coach anyone on the offensive side of the ball. Look at our offensive rankings since 2001. It's not a coincidence...
Great comments all around. I'll just add that even when TP had time to throw (it was rare), he seemed to be doing so off his back foot. WTF? Has he just lost every fundamental he ever learned? Is he that unfocused? Are the coaches just ignoring his bad habits? I'd love to see what Bauserman could do. It might just be the spark the offense needs. My stomach turns when I think of the amazing offensive talent at TE, receiver, etc, going to waste every game!
Alright. an internet tough guy gotta love the kind. Ok tough guy, where are your "real thoughts." Are you trying to insinuate that Pryor is a good QB with great mechanics? Are you saying that all of our five star recruits Are being coached properly? Whats the answer tough guy?
I don't think I saw him step into one throw....
My only concern about Bauserman is what happens when defenses can really bring the heat, knowing he's not going to kill them with scrambles. The line's looked okay in pass protection, but you have to figure that some of that is the defenses trying to keep contain on Pryor. With Bauserman, they can just tee off. He may get decapitated.
That said, if Pryor has another game like Purdue, Tressel has to bench him, doesn't he? Support for a guy is great and all, but like everyone's saying, there's gotta be consequences for playing that poorly.
I worry about putting Bauserman back there the way this line is pass-blocking. I'm predicting a lot of running with short, three-step passes. Buckeyes over the Gophers, 6-3.
In case anybody's interested, I have a comment that deals with these subjects in the "Purdid" thread. For some reason, it languished for over THREE hours awaiting "moderation".
boiler up.
El Cab, are the 11W mods retaliating against you for your comments during the previous week? SCANDALOUS
"Watching tape easy, learning college football hard."
Yes, it's a conspiracy!
For some reason WP has been putting more comments into moderation lately and we don't always see them in a timely fashion.
Though we're not fans of El Caballo de Sangre, there's nothing intentional behind the moderation stuff.
"Everybody kills people"
That's a given
How is Pryor not the top vote getter on the poll.
I do not understand Buckeye Nation sometimes, so many people jumped on the "we hate Todd Boeckman" bandwagon because he lost us a national title, but when Pryor has been horrible (lets be honest, pretty much the whole season) they just want to blame the coaches and the O-line.
News flash people, last year Pryor was sacked more than Boeckman was the year before. A scrambling QB is not always better for your line, especially when ours runs outside the tackle everytime so that the tackle (who is taught to push the DE back away from the QB is actually blocking the DE right into Pryor..... I am not claiming that our O-line is good, because they are not and some of them are down right horrible (i.e. Jim Cordle last game) , but in this type of situation the QB is at fault, if he had any pocket presence he would step up into the pocket and run up the middle if he needs to run. Unfortunately, I am begining to think part of this is that Pryor is afraid to get hit.
Don't get me wrong, I really hope Pryor starts to improve, but my "panic meter" is on red alert right now wondering if we have the 2nd coming of a certain QB named Steve.
1. Offensive play calling/execution is terrible. 1st and goal at the 3 and we can't punch it in against Purdue? Pathetic.
2. Defensive coaching is terrible. Put us up against a semi-mobile QB and an offense that is content completing 5-8 yard passes and marching down the field, and we're toast. This has happened for years against our defense, and we still can't figure it out. We're in trouble against Michigan, who runs just this type of offense.
3. Offensive line play is terrible. Can't run block, can't pass block. And this also has been a problem for years.
4. QB play is terrible. INTs, missing wide open receivers on very short passes, taking sacks and not throwing the ball away, and fumbling. I had absolutely no confidence that we could muster anything more than a 3 and out in the second half. Against Purdue.
5. Big Ten officiating was terrible again. The Coleman forced fumble, the phantom holding penalty on Browning that negated a TD, the refusal to even review the Sanzenbacher 15-20 yard reception in Purdue territory (despite the fact that the officials were more than willing to review other, not nearly as critical, plays during the game).
Yeah, as bad as this loss is, Ohio State is still in control for the Big Ten championship. Win out and we at least share the title, but with the head to head against Iowa it would really be Ohio State's championship. Two games to get the offense together before the pretty brutal November games.
November is scary.
The first fumble was Pryor's fault. The next one was the line's. Do you think Pryor might be stairing down one receiver because he knows that he only gets about 2 seconds before a defender is grabbing at him? The best QB can't win without a line. Fix the problems up front then maybe TP can get his act together. Right now I'd say 70% of the offensive woes are on the line. If you can't run, you can't pass and vice-versa with the play calls.
I've came to the conclusion that all this analysis and breaking down is fucking pointless, so here it goes....
I've tried to be positive, but I fucking hate Tressell and his pussy offense and coaching styles in general. Take away his lucky ass MNC in '02 and we would have called for his head years ago. Yes, I think that season was all luck the more I think about it. He doesn't know what he is doing with Pryor, and this program will continue to be embarassed as long as he is here. If not for the love I have for the state university I would be all but done with this team. Im sick and tired of being the national laughing stock and Tressels' "beat around the bush" style will ensure this continues. As of right now, we have no chance of beating Iowa and PSU and for my own selfish reasons I hope scUM kicks the hloy living shit out of us so Tressel loses his "at least I beat Michigan" excuse too!
Now comes the fun part when people start actively rooting against their own team in hope of a coaching change. We'll learn a lot about who is and who is not "fairweather" in the coming weeks.
When will someone in a position of authority (Gene Smith, Gordon Gee) finally take Coach Tressel to task for his cronyism, nepotism and all-around horrible personnel decisions? In what other agency of the state government would a head of a huge department be able to hire his brothers and his pals from the old neighborhood without any sort of oversight? This is the #1 problem with Ohio State football right now. Tressel would rather hire an old buddy or a sycophant above all other qualifications.
The drag that Jim Bollman has been on offensive line recruits has been rehashed over and over again. The one I cannot let go is this Nick Siciliano guy. There is nothing in his past that would seem to make him even remotely qualified for the position he now holds. Nothing except that he's from Youngstown and that Tressel let him be a student coach during his time at YSU. Let's look at what he's done since graduating with a computer information systems degree in 1999.
-- 2000-2001 - asst video coordinator at Oklahoma- another example of a Youngstown guy (stoops) doing a favor for ol' Nick
-- 2002 - offensive coordinator and O line coach at Urbana University- Unfortunately, the stat archives on Urbana's website only go back to 2003, but I think we can assume that Coach Siciliano's offense didn't revolutionize NAIA football while the Blue Knights finished 1-10
-- 2003 - Wide Receivers coach at North Carolina A&T
-- 2004 - QUARTERBACKS COACH at NC A&T - Aha! Some previous job experience applicable to his current role. How did he do? His QB, Marshall Glenn, completed 89 of 187 passes (47.6%) for 1,167 yards and a 6:14 TD-to-interception ratio. His 95.6 passer rating was good for 55th out of 58 qualified passers in the FCS (1-AA) that year. Interesting to note that Glenn's rating improved 20 points to 115.8 and his completion percentage went up 8pps to 55.9% under new tutelage in 2005.
-- 2005 - Nick's fairy godfather, Jim Tressel, plucks him out of Greensboro for a series of roles with the Buckeyes culminating with the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to mold the top QB recruit in the country.
I'm sure Coach Siciliano is a stand up guy and a loyal friend. But charging him with developing a crown jewel like TP is even more negligent than letting Jim Bollman work with the Mike Adams, Michael Brewsters and Marcus Halls of the world. For now they are still able to bring in top recruits, but I'm sure opposing coaches are getting pretty vocal in pointing out the non-development of Buckeye blue chippers, especially at these positions. It's sad to say but right now Terrelle looks a lot more like Marshall Glenn than Troy Smith.
One other problem: Gene Smith will not commit to paying more for better assistants. He and JT are two peas in a pod when it comes to this issue, and in my opinion, it's holding us back.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/c...
I just have to wonder what life would be like had Anderson Russell not let Texas score that final touchdown last year?
We would have finished in the top 3 in the final polls, been a lock for the top 3 again this year pre-season, and gone down in flames spectacularly.
Honestly I'm glad that any sort of national presence is gone. The only national implications we have will be if we can beat Iowa this year.
Then again it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't sort of thing. If we beat Iowa, then the Big11 overall is overrated since we lost to Purdue. If we lose to Iowa, we are the bottom dregs of the Big11.
I do think that Tressel has put all his eggs in the TP basket, and the next two years of Tressel's life will be directly related to TP's on and off field struggles.
The moral of the story is that coaching matters and good coaches cost more $. Gene and Jim don't want to pay top-flight coordinators then that is a CHOICE they make. Don't try to sell me that the program can't afford them. OSU has one of the largets athletic dept budgets in the country. Get rid of the women's ribbon twirling team if you have to find some more funds to hire actual qualified coaches.
for all this slamming of TP....the blame is simply Jim Tressel...he is by far the worst offensive coach i have ever seen. If TP played for a real offensive coach...well we may find out because I think he leaves before this staff damages him anymore. No people the problem is Jim Tressel and his refusal to hire good coaches and leave his mitts off the offense
Oh, I agree completely. Start cutting non-revenue teams here and there if it means a building a football program with a better foundation. I think Smith's argument is bunk.
Everybody agrees that the SEC as of the last few years has been the best conference in D1 CFB. Take a look at how much they pay their head and assistant coaches and you can quickly figure out why the top coordinator and position coaches are in the SEC. I frankly could care less what other B10 schools want to do, but OSU has zero excuse for going on the cheap for second-rate position and assistant coaches.
Aside from Fickell, are there any "hot" coaching prospects on this staff? Maybe, maybe Hazell at some point. Remember when OSU asst coaches were getting hired away for head coaching jobs? Yeah not so much recently.
as posted on another site....
offensive rankings (total yds per game):
2002- 70th
2003- 93rd
2004- 98th
2005- 32nd
2006- 26th
2007- 62nd
2008- 76th
2009- 91st so far.
well, what do you say after watching that...!
I feel sad, hurt, discomforted, and worst of all i actuall im worried about the next game.
This could be a season of imploding!
Question: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET RID OF THE COACHES! A season of imploding??? I don't wish that we suck for the next 5 games but if it means getting a coaching staff (president) who knows that it is actually 2009.
THEN GAME ON!!!
as a man with self annointed 'ego,' how jim tressel can look at this reality and not admit TOTAL F'NG FAIL is a disgrace.
That 3rd and 5 at the end of the game was going to be a screen. But the line didn't even chip before they let the rush go which = no time to set the screen up.
I know this is far down the list of concerns but I haven't once seen any complaints about the CBs. They NEVER look for the ball. Purdue's first TD pass could have at least been broken up if not picked if the CB turns his head. Are they coached to face guard? I am amazed at how they play sometimes - they seem fine with letting the receiver make the catch and then getting the tackle.
And I've asked others and I'll ask it here - is our biggest personnel loss (player/coach/other staff) over the past 2 years Coach Daniels?
Some of my posts mysteriously get placed into moderation, so don't worry, no one's out to get you.
Agreed Ryan! The O-Line is the cause. Pryor's really bad plays are the symptom. (He does need to improve.)
Isn't there anyone in tOSU Blogdom with the background to give a deep assessment of this O-line's play? You know, annotate some screen shots from actual game play. Compare our O-line's play with that of a team with a really solid O-line. Etc, etc.
I saw TP catch a touchdown against a very good Texas team???
I can throw to him!
Pryor, Posey, Carter, man we would have a really good Rec Corp.
What do you say coach?
I say you fumbled snaps in the spring game and you fumbled snaps in the IU game. You shall remain on the bench.
We already got a guy under center that fumbles the ball well.
It's nice to be able to still dream, isn't it?
Coach i don't get the reps...
I promise i won't fumble it backpaddling 15 yards with the ball over my head twice a game!
at least i can hit a hot route! When our poor offensive lineman don't block.
haha, good of you to come right out with it!
6'6 240 pound 4.3 speed reciever i can throw to him every play...
All i need is for my line to create a pocket which TP runs out of every play!
i don't get this one. do explain.
i don't see a fairweather fan as someone who hopes for losing in order for regime change. i see that as a normal neurotic fan. a fairweather fan is one who disappears when the team stops winning. rooting for losses is the opposite of losing interest, no?
I have said all I have to say about Pryor.
Ask your self a question: Who was the President at OSU for the JHC years?
Ask yourself another one: Who is the President now?
Tressel will NEVER be fired from this job, and he doesn't deserve to be. However, the buddy system needs to be fixed....
There is a shit ton of Buckeye fans in South Carolina...you guys rock.
As a protest and show of fandom, my Buckeye eyeblack (during races)will be worn upside down until this mess is fixed. (Yeah, I know you don't care).
What? How are you supporting the team when you want it to lose?
If we run on 1st down, run on 2nd down and throw on 3rd and 8 the pass rush is a definite concern. Of course there is always the possibility that Bauserman will look for more than his primary and get rid of the ball quicker. Or the longshot hope that we run pass plays designed to take advantage of those pass rushes.
chhheeeeeessseeeee
This game he did not have a lot of time on a number of occasions. But there have been plenty of times in other games where this was not the case and he tried to hold a staring contest with the receiver.
maybe we just have a conception problem. i hear fairweather and think annoying new hampshire girls in pink red sox hats being an annoying new englander at an out of town bar during the playoffs. rooting against the team so the coach is fired i think the "miserable" fans who tressel has disdain for. they are definitely still in love with their team, they just think they should have some time apart.
I've watched Ohio State Football for over 40 years and quite honestly, I can't remember a more embarrassing performance by a Buckeye team which ultimately resulted in a humiliating loss! This tops the loss by the Buckeyes to Clemson in the Peach Bowl, when Woody Hayes lost his composure and struck a Clemson Football player. One of the "O's" in "OHIO" used to stand for "OFFENSE", but lack of "OFFENSE" of any kind seems to be a continuing paradigm at Ohio State. Saturday's performance proves that Terrelle Pryor isn't a QB, but rather a RB. Many have thought he would make a good WR, but with the way he throws the ball, I ellicit he wouldn't know how to catch one either. Sure, Terrelle was a good QB in High School; but it was because he understood the "team" concept, which he is so readily forgotten. Can he play college football? Probably, but at a Division II level. He would ideally fit the mold for a Youngstown State QB. Is anyone sensing a theme here? Which brings me to the issue which occurred during the 2008 season. Todd Boeckman, QB and Senior. Didn't have an over abundance of athletic ability, but did manage to get the job done. But Coach Tressel had no reservations about pulling him out of the USC game in favor of seeing what Terrelle Pryor could do, which didn't result in any better a showing than Todd had. And then Pryor remained the QB until the last game of the season. What was up with that? Todd Boeckman earned his right to play as a senior; he was the back-up to Troy Smith for a number of years, and when it was his turn, he got the rug pulled out from under him in favor of Pryor? Please... someone tell me how the hell that works out for the betterment of the team! So Terrelle, take a seat! It's time to let Joe Bauserman have a shot at being the QB. And don't give me any of this BS of discrimination based on color. Everyone on the team is SCARLET and GREY!Everyone knew coming into this year that the Offensive Line was going to be a problem, since graduation claimed its toll from last years line. But, they should have resolved the problems by now, as it is mid-season. So Offensive Line, you need to start getting after it! Do your job! Pick up the blitzes and maintain your ground! No excuses! Just execute the blocks!! As for Coach Tressel... you are a native son of OHIO. You have watched OHIO STATE Football for more years than I, and when you took the job as the OHIO STATE Head Coach, you knew that change was mandated in order for Ohio State to compete on the National Stage, and help resurrect the Big Ten Conference. What happened? It's time for you to make those changes! Since you seem to be adamant about keeping Terrelle Pryor as the QB, why not introduce the Triple Option Offense or Wild Cat Offenses? It seems to be working remarkably well for Georgia Tech, so well in fact that they beat the No. 4 Virginia Tech Hokies this past weekend! It really is suited for a running QB and a back field of very capable Running Backs! So why not... the rest of the season is going to be a washout, with losses to Iowa, Penn State, and Michigan upcoming. This way we would be ready for next season and wouldn't have to wait until the middle of next season to make it work! Enough is enough. Either make immediate changes, or I'm sure President Gee and Athletic Director Griffin will!!!
Watch the game again fellas, he runs out of the pocket instead of stepping up, this does not help an O-line, it hurts it. He needs to learn to stay in the pocket and run up the middle when the lineman push the DE's out.
I think the offensive woes are a result of what amounts to a towering house of cards being built over the last 8 years. There have really only been 2 seasons where the offense showed some real skill...2002 but only when Clarett played, and 2006 with Smith and Ginn. And we saw what happened when Ginn didn't play. The offense has struggled in virtually all other seasons on some level. There are more years where the offense has been iffy than years where it's been solid.
We all follow the recruiting. The offense is littered with 4 and 5 star talent, at the line, the backfield, the receivers, you name it. I can only think of one other school that gets this kind of firepower and continually struggles year in-year-out - Florida State, and their coach has been on the hot seat for 5 years. In a conference as woeful as the Big Ten, this team has the opportunity to dominate it, with 40,50+ points per game, striking fear in the hearts of opponents. They don't play with the testicular fortitude to make that happen.
From the top down, this is just not a dominant combination. They can still win some games with talent alone. But Iowa, Penn State and Michigan are going to want it more...and that's unacceptable.
Good assistant coaches needn't be expensive. I'm sure there are a lot of young, hungry up-and-comers that could offer a lot more than the Heacocks and the Bollmans of the world for the same amount of money or less. I personally would love to see hot shot coordinators moving on to head coaching jobs from Ohio State. Tressel brings in his old Y'town crew and they're given the same job security as supreme court justices. Nobody wants them so they just languish.
When we win out and still win the Big Ten will people shut up or still be screaming for a coaching change after the Vest wins his 5th straight Big10 title? You can't win the National Title every year fellas. Tress is a good coach who is struggling because he has no viable option at QB right now. We just have to hope that Pryor improves or somebody steps up.
Who doesn't struggle stopping a well executed short passing game? The only way those teams get stopped are turnovers, or sitting on the bench while you have the ball.
Paragraphs buddy. It makes your post easier to read and look less like a chapter from a Tolstoy or Faulkner book.
so he wasn't qualified to coach Troy Smith, Ted Ginn, Gonzo, Beanie Wells or Antonio Pittman either? Those guys just happened to have success right?
Athletic Director Griffin?
i was thinking more like a word search...
i've almost found all the words on my list. i just need to find "caffeinated"
"hope scUM kicks the hloy living shit out of us so Tressel loses his “at least I beat Michigan” excuse too!"
I think you need to re-assess that statement.
how's tressels sack taste bucknut?
Paragraphs or not, the message here is PASSION. Hey osubuckeye, want to coach a D1 team back to powerhousedom? Or maybe just infuse some of your intensity into our coaching staff? Every time I see a Tress conference I want to puke because of the lack of energy and sometimes it seems, lack of actual CONCERN about how we played, or that we lost.
I swear, sometimes it's like he doesn't really get it, or worse yet, care. Our guys play like they've never had a good asskicking by the coaches and it shows.
Really seriously most embarrassing loss ever? In 40 years? Seriously?
Yup, all that offensive talent and how many National Titles did we win? We might have won Big Ten Championships, but that isn't saying much considering the competion. Look at our offensive rankings for JT's tenure. Chas posted them below. It's a freaking joke!! In Troy Smith's Heisman year of 2006 we ranked 26th. If you can't see that something is wrong philosophically on OSU's offense then we have to agree to disagree.
Whoa! You all need to take one GIANT step back and relax. Have some class and some faith. You all are WAY too quick to be throwing JT under the bus this way.
i have seen this as well. pryor takes the snap, and looks impatient with no poise in the pocket...then he takes off like you said (usually to run outside of the pocket or around the defensive ends/linebackers) and tries to make the play with his feet...unless it's a slant pattern or an intermediate dig route, pryor doesn't look comfortable in the pocket (and im not saying i would either with this atrocious o-line). look at the defense pre-snap (no more oh my god! there's only 3 seconds before a delay of game nonsense either.....WTF is that??), let the play develop somewhat, make good reads, and either let it fly or take off.
WE HIT THE BIG TIME BOYS:
Our commenting thread was mocked on Dr. Saturday. Movin' on up the grief ladder!
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/f...
sometimes the only way up is down. the O Line has been bad for several years but "success" has camoflauged that or kept Tress from having anything to do anything about it. the Buckeye train rolled merrily along to Big Ten titles and NCS games.
not so much now.
anybody who thinks a win over the Golden Chipmunks is a given needs to think again... and losses to Penn State and Iowa would give us THREE Big Ten losses. that's gonna make for some changes. has to.
what if the thing goes totally south? lose to Minny, and then can't stop the losing all the way to scUM? scary thought but I didn't see anything Saturday that makes me dead certain this thing will get turned around. I believe it will, hope it will, but who thought 1-5 Purdon't would beat us like that?
Sam and Bucksfan flame war hit the national blogosphere. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I'd first like to personally thank the Academy...
LMFAO!!!
BuckeyeMark, Couldn't agree with you more
lol. hey, i have the cliffs notes right here. the author of this piece is disappointed with the team.
Wil - We had a Heisman winning QB in case you forgot and we still got CURB STOMPED by florida.
but facts... so inconvenient to remember, so easy to forget.
I gloated over my PENN STATE friends when Pryor committed. I wish they had had the opportunity to gloat over me instead.
The readers who said to cut non-revenue sports are crazy. Why? Football has enough revenue to succeed. It's not revenue that is the problem.
Agreed BuckeyeBob, besides the OSU women's ribbon twirling team might have a better chance of taking down an SEC team. Baahhhaaaawwwpppppppphhhhhhhhtttt! oh boy.
Pryor wouldn't playing at Penn St.
We're in deep doo doo with number two!
Wow, the whole team seems to have issues. I had such a hard time watching that game even from the beginning. I was disgusted by half time. I told people at work that it would be 40 something to 13.
I think that this OSU YSU coaching pipeline needs to stop because they are not anywhere near D1 coaches but that all depends on Tress and he isn't going to change anything because he hasn't had to since he got here. He hires yesman coaches he can control.
As far TP goes as a QB, I say give Bauserman a shot because TP looks lost and after Saturday Bausermann couldn't be worst. I can't believe how far he has regressed since he always states how much film he watches. I know the O-line is terrible and Bauserman would need to scramble but a least Bauserman knows how to step up into a pocket to make the throw where TP keeps trying to get outside. They could also go back to the Pro style offense that Tressel loves. TP doesn't fit the offense right now and I am not sure if he will.
I am really concerned about all the remaining games because this was supposed to be a practice game so to speak.
You realize how bad this all is of course but I can't quite understand why it vexes me so given life has so many other pleasures and I indulge in them regularly, and no, only half are vices. LOLed at the Nero reference. This shXt happens every time a coach/staff's magic panties blow out at any major program. The key is to get the chemotherapy going before it metathesizes and you aren't a major program anymore. It chaps my ass how those trust fund hippies in Ann Arbor are laughing right now.
I LOVE those hurting kids anyway, they're so young, remember? I'm an alum and I don't jump ship when the clouds roll in. We'll have our moments. I'm a Brown's fan for chrissakes...
PS. The Tressel play card in good shizzy is funny as hell
"Though we’re not fans of El Caballo de Sangre"
LOLz
i totally agree with anonymous..your statement about national titles is misleading..1 at d-1 ball with another coaches players who was the last osu team to have swagger, spirit, hunger to win..the teams after that act like they belong in the ivy league and as for winning the big ten..thats a kin to winning the city league in columbus as the big ten is full of cupcakes..enough said
Where is our football program headed? College Football News had an article awhile back predicting which teams would win a national title within the next ten years. We were one of them. Now, I get the uneasy feeling that we're headed for a decline a la Cooper. The idealist in me wants to believe that, a few years from now, Jason or Corey or Luke will write an article looking back on these times as we celebrate our return to prominence. Part of me wants to hold out hope because VY struggled much the same way. However, the realist in me has resigned myself to the fact that the worst has possibly yet to come.
you all miss my point. TP throwing picks and fumbling isnt any coaches fault. Players play the game and they didnt perform plain and simple. And the two of you are so smart, BuckNuts mom calling me a tough guy, arent you doing the same thing I am doing you dumbass?
And McNuttt, thats as good as you can do? Really?
McNutt... well, he's special. That's why we gave him that helmet.
Amen to the comment on the defense. Pryor is bad the O-line is too and the defense is average. Don't see why everyone is so excited about the defense. They have been poor the last 2 weeks.
If you can't pass on first down, don't pass AGAIN on second down. They did it about every time. It must have been nice for USC and Purdue to have quarterbacks that can actually THROW the ball, which TP can't do.
the defense was poor against Wisconsin? was this before or after they scored two defensive touchdowns?
Just because you're in 3-4 WR sets doesn't mean your coaching philosophy isn't ancient. If your quarterback stands in the shotgun and hands it off or runs a called draw, it doesn't matter whether you're under center or not. Watch Ohio State and then watch Cincinnati or Florida or Boise State or another innovative offensive team. Ohio State does, and has for years, run simplistic routes. There are repeatedly multiple receivers in the same area, the routes aren't complimentary, and the quarterback has little to no leeway within the system to check at the line. Ohio State runs a "90's" shotgun style offense, where there are no automatic checkdowns (i.e., if there's no one lined up right on the inside receiver, the play is automatically a bubble screen to that receiver), there are no zone reads for the quarterback. Ohio State has the look of a spread team with none of its characteristics. Tressel's offense tries to feign complexity by lining up in multiple sets and then running the same tired plays out of multiple formations. That may have been a formula for success in D I-AA, but at the elite level of D-I, it's not going to get you over the hump that Ohio State is currently stuck at. Tressel has managed to successfully out-recruit the Big 10 and win on the talent on the field, but there's a reason why his teams seem to always fall short against elite teams, at least since 2002.
It's time to recognize that Tressel managed to motivate Cooper's players (plus Clarett) to win the 2002 title, and was never really as good of a coach as any of us really thought.
Someone doesn't remember 63-14 @ PSU in '94.
As a Michigan fan, I really cannot say that I feel bad for you. We dominated OSU for about 12 years, you have dominated UM for about 8, but boy do we catch a load of irrational spew every time we try to talk. It's as if you guys are 109-0-0 (or whatever) against UM.
Your team is stacked with 4 or 5 star, cream of the crop, talent. Even your QB was supposed to be the best in the nation, and this year's player to watch in the Big Ten as an experienced sophomore. But he plays bad (btw, thanks for winning that recruiting war), and the whole team of 5 star, veteran talent falls apart. Not to mention the fans.
Now imagine your Michigan, and its September 2008. Your offense has ONE returning starter. You have all freshmen or sophomores coming in to play. You have a freshmen, or a walk-on, QB to choose from (little talent and NO experience). You have just hired a new coach with a new offensive system (new plays, new schemes, new approach). It was a "perfect storm." It wasn't pleasant. And, fyi, we (UM) are still not over it yet. But we are getting there. We are watching our team gain experience, get better, and gel almost every game. We may not win a bunch of games in 2009, but we are on the way. We have an innovative, cutting edge coach, who is young, aggressive, wants to be the very best and is "All In For Michigan."
My point is, that maybe this experience will give you OSU fans (Meaning the unreasonable ones, though I hold out little hope. You reasonable ones are a pleasure to talk to and banter with. Its fun.), a bit of material and foundational experience to draw upon in your future dealings with us UM fans. Perhaps you may gain a better grasp on the broader picture, including the cyclical nature of even the best programs, the possibility of unforeseen circumstances, the difficulties of programatic philosophical changes and the inherent problems of playing with inexperience.
Looking forward to November 21st.
Signed,
An awfully hungry Wolverine...